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| | Home » Things to Know Before You Purchase a Home Security System | | Things to Know Before You Purchase a Home Security System | | | Homeowners are often overwhelmed with the amount of products available for purchase when trying to select a security camera system for their homes. Often, I am asked for my opinion and I like to ask some basic questions that usually narrow the product selection quite a bit. The first thing I want to know is if the system will include cameras for indoor, outdoor or both. In most cases both is the answer. Low light conditions outdoor require the use of infrared or very low light capable cameras. Even some high resolution name brand cameras can fail to provide coverage in no light or extreme low light conditions. Special infrared cameras often refered to as night vision cameras can be used to ensure proper coverage in these situations without much added expense depending on distances being covered. I advise homeowners to cover all sides of their home and to take into consideration that wide angle cameras with night vision vary in the range the infrared covers. The longer range cameras can be costly but also can deliver a better quality image as these long range infrared cameras are usually higher resolution as well. If the areas have adequate lighting so that one can walk around well during a (no moon) evening then color cameras can be used. Choices are then more about esthetics and include styles in dome, bullet or fixed cameras in more intimidating housings. Next, I ask how many cameras are needed. I remind clients that areas requiring closeup coverage will demand a single and separate camera. One camera can not show closeup detail and also show wide angle view. I get many calls after vandalism occurs to mailboxes, cars in the driveway and pets being mistreated by neighbors. Whatever the area needing coverage, certain areas may need special coverage requiring a telephoto lens depending on distance. Our website has a helpful field of view calculator to pinpoint exactly what size lens is required. Homes with long narrow driveways or those requiring perimeter coverage will require security cameras with varifocal lenses. Distances of 55 feet or greater would benefit from bullet or professional cameras with 5-50mm or 9-22mm varifocal lenses. These lenses can be adjusted to widen or narrow the field of view to the proper focal point in question. In this case many bases are covered and if the focal point should ever change an adjustment will be easy enough. Special infrared cameras can be used to illuminate areas several hundreds of feet in distance if these areas have no light. Select manufacturers deal with this type of camera. Careful observation of the home and lot should be taken into consideration. Distances can be noted for these certain areas so they can be matched to security camera specification sheets when shopping. Also discussions with trained professional can alleviate any anxiety about a purchase. usually many styles of cameras are available from bullet cameras, dome cameras to very elaborate pan,tilt and zoom cameras. Discussions about cable usually take place upon the realization of the distances involved. Distances over 200 feet usually require a 24VAC camera and power/video cable (Siamese Cable, consisting of an RG59U/ 18AWG 2 Conductor Pair) and BNC connectors. Custom lengths can be made in the field. 12Vdc cameras can be supplied with simpler preassembled power/video cable kits that are plug and play ready. Many clients often order pre-made cables and can even pair 2 cables together with the use of a BNC female barrel connector if need be. After the cameras are selected we select a recorder. This can be analogue (VHS) or a digital video recorder. Today the cost of digital video recorders is alot lower than most home owners anticipate even though technology is always improving. Digital video recorders allow the ability in most cases for homeowners to log into software from work or vacation and see their homes live. Employers can check on employees without driving to the store or office. Digital video recorders include remote management software. Live or prerecorded video is now on their desktops. Digital video recorders also allow motion activated events to be recorded thus sparing long playback times. Imagine your away for a week and you come home to a broken window and discover you have been burglarized. Now play back would be very difficult with the frame by frame playback on a VHS cassette. With digital recorders, owners can search by camera and see only motion activated recordings. Hard drives hold the recording removing the need for VHS cassette libraries, expense and that upkeep. Resolution is usually much higher and does not degrade with time. Most security dvrs have CD/RW or DVD/RW for fast transfer of files to a hard copy. Multiplexing is built-in. I strongly suggest digital video recording to all my clients whether homeowners or business owners. Technology has brought about some very good changes in the video security industry and competition makes it so that that high quality products can still be affordable while offering modern advances for overall better quality video surveillance.
Karen Rogers is a video surveillance author and many of her articles can be read at http://www.123securityproducts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Rogers
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